Title
To express the Council’s intent, to the extent permitted by law, to support improved homeless services with funds received pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 by appropriations to the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and other such grantees of the City who provide homeless services, including shelter and homeless prevention programs.
Body
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, the City anticipates receiving funds pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, 117th Cong., 1st Sess. (2021-2022) (the “Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that it is in the best interests of the City of Richmond that a portion of the funds received pursuant to the Act be used to support improved homeless services, including shelter and homeless prevention programs provided by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and other such grantees of the City and fund the priorities outlined in the City of Richmond Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2020-2030, adopted by Resolution No. 2020-R031, adopted May 11, 2020, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That, should the Act and any regulations or rules made pursuant thereto authorize the use of funds received pursuant to the Act to support improved homeless services and should the Mayor propose an amendment to the annual budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022, to appropriate such funds for such purpose, the Council intends to appropriate funds received pursuant to the Act and intends that such funds, to the extent permitted by law, be used to support improved homeless services, including shelter and homeless prevention programs provided by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and other such City grantees for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That it is the intent of the Council that funds received by the City pursuant to the Act, in addition to funds received by the City from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, including any HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, be appropriated to support improved homeless services, including shelter and homeless prevention programs and fund the priorities set forth in the City of Richmond Strategic Plan to End Homelessness 2020-2030, adopted by Resolution No. 2020-R031, adopted May 11, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Council supports the use of funds received by the City pursuant to the Act for providers that include homelessness assistance and supportive services programs and hereby requests that the Mayor propose an annual budget or such budget amendments as may be necessary to provide for the following, to the extent permitted by law:
1. Funding from HOME Investment Partnerships Program monies for a high-quality, year-round emergency housing shelter that provides for multi-stakeholder collaboration across agencies and localities;
2. Funding from HOME Investment Partnerships Program monies to help accelerate existing homeless service provider projects to include expansion of existing emergency shelter bed programs;
3. Portable, rental subsidies through a comprehensive permanent supportive housing program funded with HOME Investment Partnerships Program monies, and supplemented by any available funds from the Reserve for Contingencies - COVID-19 created by Ordinance No. 2020-049, adopted May 11, 2020 and, on an ongoing, annual basis, funds appropriated for Non-Departmental programs in the General Fund Budget;
4. Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units, which may be converted to permanent housing or permanent affordable housing, used as emergency shelter, or left as non-congregate emergency shelter;
5. Except for funds used specifically for administration, funding for homeless services through such date as authorized by the Act; and
6. Funding for homeless services distributed through the HOME program formula;